As if coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith didn’t have enough problems trying to reduce their roster to 53 today, now they have to find another offensive tackle.

Rashad Butler, who learned this week he had lost his starting job on the right side to Derek Newton, suffered torn triceps in his right arm and is out for the season.

Last season, Butler missed the last 14 games with torn triceps in his left arm.

“It’s unfortunate, a tough, tough deal,” Kubiak said. “He comes back from the other injury, battles, does a heck of a job and handles himself like a big-time pro (when Newton named the starter). You hurt for guys that work their tail off.”

The new swing tackle could be Andrew Gardner, playing in his third season, or a veteran who’ll be on the waiver wire.

Gardner started at right tackle in Thursday’s 28-24 victory over Minnesota. Butler started at left tackle. As of now, the 6-6, 309-pound Gardner becomes the swing tackle.

“He had a good camp,” Kubiak said. “We’ve got to find a way to work through it (Butler’s injury).

“The guy’s (swing tackle) got to be pretty sharp. They’re not going to get a lot of practice time, but they have to be able to perform on either side when called on.”

Butler had been the swing tackle until he was injured last season, and the coaches went with Newton, a seventh-round pick, in that role. Fortunately, left tackle Duane Brown and right tackle Eric Winston remained healthy.

The Texans didn’t lose a starting player in a 3-1 preseason. Until Butler, rookie kicker Randy Bullock had suffered the most significant injury (torn groin muscle). All starters should be available for the Sept. 9 regular-season opener against Miami.

Kubiak and Smith are going to have to make some hand-wringing decisions. For instance, rather than fumble his way off the roster, Trindon Holliday should have solidified his spot with a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown. That’s three returns for touchdowns in four games.

Holliday’s surprising success at 5-5, 169 could ultimately cost John Beck the third quarterback job. If Beck doesn’t make it, it won’t be his fault.

“I’ve been impressed,” Kubiak said. “He went into (the game) tonight battling for a job, and he knew that. He stepped to the plate and did a hell of a job.”

In the opening victory over Carolina, Beck led the Texans to a field goal drive. Starting against the Vikings – playing with backups against backups – Beck was solid, completing 6-of-10 for 149 yards and a touchdown. His rating was 137.5.

Among Beck’s accomplishments was an 80-yard touchdown pass to DeVier Posey, the third-round pick who made his first catch something to remember. He had two catches for 93 yards and lost a fumble on the second one.

Case Keenum has seemed destined for the practice squad from the beginning. He spent most of the second half handing off and finished with five-of-10 for 43 yards.

The most impressive offensive player was running back Justin Forsett. He’s third on the depth chart, and he did his best Arian Foster imitation, carrying 13 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns. He broke Foster’s preseason rushing record of 110 yards.

Going into the game, the biggest questions were on defense, specifically the reserve cornerbacks and safeties. They got a lot of work against the Vikings, who threw 47 passes and completed 26 for 351 yards.

Seldom does a defense surrender 562 yards and win, but that’s what happened. The Texans registered six sacks, including two by linebacker D.J. Bryant and 1 ½ by linebacker Delano Johnson. They also forced two turnovers and stuffed the Vikings on fourth down in the first half.

Every player and coach is excited to put preseason behind them and focus on regular season.

“I feel good about our camp and preseason,” Kubiak said. “Our camp (and preseason) was competitive. We really challenged the players. It was as good a camp as I’ve ever been involved in.”